During American Heart Month, Commissioner Alaigh Urges New Jersey to Wear Red for Women's Heart Health on February 4; National Wear Red Day Raises Awareness, Empowers Women to Reduce their Heart Disease Risk

In recognition of February as American Heart Month and February 4 as National Wear Red Day, Health and Senior Services Commissioner Dr. PoonamAlaigh encouraged both women and men to make healthier lifestyle choices to help reduce their risk of heart disease – the nation’s and New Jersey’s leading cause of death in both women and men.

First Lady Mary Pat Christie has announced that Drumthwacket, the official Governor’s residence, will be illuminated with red lights starting tomorrow and throughout the month of February to raise awareness of this critically important public health issue.

"Women are savvy health consumers, especially when caring for others. But when it comes to their own health, too many women are unaware that heart disease – and its prevention -- is one of the most urgent health issues they face," Commissioner Alaigh said. "The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign helps raise awareness and empower women to make lifestyle changes that lead to longer, healthier lives."

According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease, which if controlled, could reduce their risk. The following measures can help women reduce their risk:

Avoid smoking or using tobacco

Exercise 30 minutes most days of the week

Eat a heart healthy diet

Maintain a healthy weight, and

Get regular health checkups to help you control your cholesterol, reduce blood sugar and manage your blood pressure

Each year, more than 400,000 women in the U.S. die of cardiovascular disease – or about one every minute. Cardiovascular disease includes heart disease and stroke, which are the first and third leading causes of women’s death, respectively, in both the U.S. and New Jersey. In both the nation and the state, African American women are at greater risk of both developing cardiovascular diseases and dying from these diseases than are white women.

In New Jersey, about 13,000 women die of heart disease and stroke annually. Women account for 53 percent of deaths due to diseases of the heart (10,868), and 61 percent of stroke deaths (2,168). Just over three percent (110,000) of women in New Jersey have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease and an estimated 2.3 percent (78,000) report they have had a stroke.

Women may not always have the chest pain or discomfort typical of men’s heart attacks. Instead, they may feel shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, back or jaw pain, unusual fatigue, dizziness, or feelings of anxiety that resemble a panic attack.

"In addition to taking heart health seriously, women also need to know how their heart attack symptoms may differ from men’s. Not knowing about these differences could cause potentially deadly delay in seeking help and getting a proper diagnosis," Dr. Alaigh said.

Friday, February 4 – The American Heart Association and the DHSS Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Services Program are sponsoring an event from noon to 1 p.m. Supporters dressed in red will gather in front of the CapitalCenter at 50 E. State Street, and walk to the State House steps. An American Heart Association representative will speak.

Friday, February 11 – The Second Annual Northern New Jersey Go Red for Women Luncheon. Dr. Alaigh will speak at the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Prudential Center Main Concourse, 165 Mulberry St., Newark. With the theme “Make it Your Business to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke,” the event will draw several hundred women business leaders. Also featured will be health screenings and educational sessions.

With a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DHSS is working to prevent heart disease and stroke, particularly among minority and multicultural populations. Since 2007, DHSS’ Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Services Program has worked with the American Heart Association (AHA), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of New Jersey, Trenton Fortitude Corporation and other groups and organizations on annual heart disease awareness events.

In conjunction with the AHA, DHSS provides tool kits to Delta Sigma Theta and Trenton Fortitude which can be distributed and used to hold events focusing on heart health awareness and heart healthy resources. These include such events as Go Red Pajama Parties; Power Breakfasts; Salad Nights; Cooking Demonstrations with Recipes; and other casual community gatherings.